#985 Carex appalachica Common Names: Appalachian sedge Family: Cyperaceae (sedge Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #985 e-mail this page

Appalachian sedge boasts a beautiful fine textured, medium green foliage that will add interest to the winter garden.

Appalachian sedge has fine, medium green leaves that grow 12-24 in (30.5-61 cm) in length that are arranged in low clumps 4-8 in (10.2-20.3 cm) in diameter. It blooms in early spring producing small inconspicuous blossoms.

Location
Carex appalachica is native to the eastern United States from Maine to South Carolina and west to Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio.

Culture
Likes average to poor soils. Light: Full shade to dappled sunlight
Moisture: Like average to well drained soils.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 - 7. I suspect that the Appalachian Sedge is probably hardy to Zone 4 and perhaps even to 3.
Propagation: As with most Carex species and cultivars, propagation is quite easy by division. A mature clump will yield many new divisions which can be directly replanted or potted up and grown on. We wash all of the soil off and trim the long, fine textured roots back to about 2 in (5.1 cm) and do the same with the 12-24 in (30.5-61 cm) tops. We repot them, and new roots appear at the bottom of the pots within just a few weeks.

Appalachian sedge cascades down a hillside at Barry's Sunshine Farm and Garden in West Virginia.

Features
The super fine texture of the Carex appalachica cascading down from the top adds a remarkable dimension as it swirls around tree trunks and rocks along it's path. It gives the impression of the movement of wind and water and makes a fine addition to gardens and woodland habitats.

by Floridata Celebrity Gardener Barry Glick of Sunshine Farm and Gardens, Renick, WV 1/22/04

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